ICM International Code of Ethics for Midwives - Zbornica - Zveza
ICM International Code of Ethics for Midwives - Zbornica - Zveza
ICM International Code of Ethics for Midwives - Zbornica - Zveza
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<strong>ICM</strong> INTERNATIONAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR MIDWIVES<br />
‘(A code <strong>of</strong> ethics) is not a dry dusty piece <strong>of</strong> paper; it is a living breathing<br />
embodiment <strong>of</strong> the spirit <strong>of</strong> midwifery and we are the ones that make it not<br />
only live, but sing and dance with the joy <strong>of</strong> life itself’<br />
Bronwin Pelvin<br />
New Zealand Midwife<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> NZCOM, 1992<br />
Preamble<br />
The aim <strong>of</strong> the <strong>International</strong> Confederation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Midwives</strong> (<strong>ICM</strong>) is to improve the standard <strong>of</strong><br />
care provided to women, babies and families throughout the world through the development,<br />
education, and appropriate utilization <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>essional midwife. In keeping with its aim <strong>of</strong><br />
women’s health and focus on the midwife, the <strong>ICM</strong> sets <strong>for</strong>th the following code to guide the<br />
education, practice and research <strong>of</strong> the midwife. This code acknowledges women as persons<br />
with human rights, seeks justice <strong>for</strong> all people and equity in access to health care, and is<br />
based on mutual relationships <strong>of</strong> respect, trust, and the dignity <strong>of</strong> all members <strong>of</strong> society.<br />
Introduction<br />
In an ef<strong>for</strong>t to increase understanding and, hence, use <strong>of</strong> the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Code</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ethics</strong> <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>Midwives</strong> (1999), the <strong>ICM</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Management commissioned the publication <strong>of</strong> this<br />
document. The document contains:<br />
- the <strong>Code</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ethics</strong>,<br />
- the glossary <strong>of</strong> terms used in the <strong>Code</strong>,<br />
- the ethical analysis <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong>,<br />
- a brief history <strong>of</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong> and<br />
- suggestions on how the midwife can use this <strong>Code</strong> in practice, education or research.<br />
THE CODE<br />
I. Midwifery Relationships<br />
a. <strong>Midwives</strong> respect a woman’s in<strong>for</strong>med right <strong>of</strong> choice and promote the woman’s<br />
acceptance <strong>of</strong> responsibility <strong>for</strong> the outcomes <strong>of</strong> her choices.<br />
b. <strong>Midwives</strong> work with women, supporting their right to participate actively in<br />
decisions about their care, and empowering women to speak <strong>for</strong> themselves on<br />
issues affecting the health <strong>of</strong> women and their families in their culture/society.<br />
c. <strong>Midwives</strong>, together with women, work with policy and funding agencies to define<br />
women’s needs <strong>for</strong> health services and to ensure that resources are fairly<br />
allocated considering priorities and availability.<br />
d. <strong>Midwives</strong> support and sustain each other in their pr<strong>of</strong>essional roles, and actively<br />
nurture their own and others’ sense <strong>of</strong> self-worth.<br />
e. <strong>Midwives</strong> work with other health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, consulting and referring as<br />
necessary when the woman’s need <strong>for</strong> care exceeds the competencies <strong>of</strong> the<br />
midwife.<br />
f. <strong>Midwives</strong> recognise the human interdependence within their field <strong>of</strong> practice and<br />
actively seek to resolve inherent conflicts.<br />
g. The midwife has responsibilities to her or himself as a person <strong>of</strong> moral worth,<br />
including duties <strong>of</strong> moral self-respect and the preservation <strong>of</strong> integrity.
II. Practice <strong>of</strong> Midwifery<br />
a. <strong>Midwives</strong> provide care <strong>for</strong> women and childbearing families with respect <strong>for</strong><br />
cultural diversity while also working to eliminate harmful practices within those<br />
same cultures.<br />
b. <strong>Midwives</strong> encourage realistic expectations <strong>of</strong> childbirth by women within their own<br />
society, with the minimum expectation that no women should be harmed by<br />
conception or childbearing.<br />
c. <strong>Midwives</strong> use their pr<strong>of</strong>essional knowledge to ensure safe birthing practices in all<br />
environments and cultures.<br />
d. <strong>Midwives</strong> respond to the psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual needs <strong>of</strong><br />
women seeking health care, whatever their circumstances.<br />
e. <strong>Midwives</strong> act as effective role models in health promotion <strong>for</strong> women throughout<br />
their life cycle, <strong>for</strong> families and <strong>for</strong> other health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.<br />
f. <strong>Midwives</strong> actively seek personal, intellectual and pr<strong>of</strong>essional growth throughout<br />
their midwifery career, integrating this growth into their practice.<br />
III. The Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Responsibilities <strong>of</strong> <strong>Midwives</strong><br />
a. <strong>Midwives</strong> hold in confidence client in<strong>for</strong>mation in order to protect the right to<br />
privacy, and use judgement in sharing this in<strong>for</strong>mation.<br />
b. <strong>Midwives</strong> are responsible <strong>for</strong> their decisions and actions, and are accountable <strong>for</strong><br />
the related outcomes in their care <strong>of</strong> women.<br />
c. <strong>Midwives</strong> may refuse to participate in activities <strong>for</strong> which they hold deep moral<br />
opposition; however, the emphasis on individual conscience should not deprive<br />
women <strong>of</strong> essential health services.<br />
d. <strong>Midwives</strong> understand the adverse consequences that ethical and human rights<br />
violations have on the health <strong>of</strong> women and infants, and will work to eliminate<br />
these violations.<br />
e. <strong>Midwives</strong> participate in the development and implementation <strong>of</strong> health policies<br />
that promote the health <strong>of</strong> all women and childbearing families.<br />
IV. Advancement <strong>of</strong> Midwifery Knowledge and Practice<br />
a. <strong>Midwives</strong> ensure that the advancement <strong>of</strong> midwifery knowledge is based on<br />
activities that protect the rights <strong>of</strong> women as persons.<br />
b. <strong>Midwives</strong> develop and share midwifery knowledge through a variety <strong>of</strong> processes,<br />
such as peer review and research.<br />
c. <strong>Midwives</strong> participate in the <strong>for</strong>mal education <strong>of</strong> midwifery students and midwives.<br />
Acknowledgements:<br />
Dr. Joyce E.Thompson, CNM, DrPH<br />
Dr. Henry O.Thompson, M.Div, PhD<br />
Sister Anne Thompson, MTD, MS<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>International</strong> Confederation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Midwives</strong> Executive Committee 1990/1993<br />
and the Delegates from member associations attending the <strong>International</strong> Council meeting in<br />
May 1993 and May 1999.<br />
Adopted May 1993<br />
Revised May 1999<br />
Revised 2003.